There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
When we do more than we are paid to do, eventually we will be paid more for what we do.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
Where ambition ends happiness begins.
—Unknown
To make converts is the natural ambition of everyone.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.
—Christopher Marlowe (1564–93) English Playwright, Poet, Translator
A life spent in constant labor is a life wasted, save a man be such a fool as to regard a fulsome obituary notice as ample reward.
—George Jean Nathan (1882–1958) American Drama Critic, Editor
Ambitious men may not cease, but as a dog in a wheel, a bird in a cage, or a squirrel in a chain, so Budaeus compares them; they climb and climb still, with much labour, but never make an end, never at the top.
—Robert Burton (1577–1640) English Scholar, Clergyman
It’s them as take advantage that get advantage i’ this world.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Ambition makes more trusty slaves than need
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
It is the constant fault and inseparable evil quality of ambition, that it never looks behind it.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The path of social advancement is, and must be, strewn with broken friendships.
—H. G. Wells (1866–1946) English Novelist, Historian, Social Thinker
Too low they build who build below the skies.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Ambition is not a vice of little people.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Do it, and then you will feel motivated to do it.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
All of us perform better and more willingly when we know why we’re doing what we have been told or asked to do.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
Ambition thinks no face so beautiful, as that which looks from under a crown.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
How like a mounting devil in the heart rules the unreined ambition.
—Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806–67) American Poet, Playwright, Essayist
Ambition has its disappointments to sour us, but never the good fortune to satisfy us. Its appetite grows keener by indulgence and all we can gratify it with at present serves but the more to inflame its insatiable desires.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Ambition is to the mind what the cap is to the falcon; it blinds us first, and then compels us to tower by reason of our blindness.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The basic goal-reaching principle is to understand that you go as far as you can see, and when you get there you will always be able to see farther.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
The same sun which gilds all nature, and exhilarates the whole creation, does not shine upon disappointed ambition.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either honesty or courage.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
To do something, however small, to make others happier and better, is the highest ambition, the most elevating hope, which can inspire a human being.
—John Lubbock (1834–1913) English Politician, Biologist
If your energy is as boundless as your ambition, total commitment may be a way of life you should seriously consider.
—Joyce Brothers (1927–2013) American Psychologist, Advice Columnist
Action often precedes the feeling.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
If we don’t start, it’s certain we can’t arrive.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
From its very beginnings ambition was a political word, born of the Latin ambitus, the walking around that a Roman politician did when buttering up the voters.
—Dero A. Saunders (1914–2002) American Journalist, Scholar
Ambition is the avarice of power; and happiness herself is soon sacrified to that very lust of dominion which was first encouraged only as the best means of obtaining it.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
To be ambitious of true honor and of the real glory and perfection of our nature is the very principle and incentive of virtue; but to be ambitious of titles, place, ceremonial respects, and civil pageantry, is as vain and little as the things are which we court.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
Nothing is too high for the daring of mortals: we storm heaven itself in our folly.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Ambition is the last infirmity of noble minds.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
He who would rise in the world should veil his ambitions with the forms of humanity.
—Chinese Proverb
The tragedy is that so many have ambition and so few have ability.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
Ambition and the belly are the two worst counselors.
—German Proverb
So many worlds, so much to do,
So little done, such things to be.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
Ambition destroys its possessor.
—Hebrew Proverb
God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into the nest.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.
—David Lloyd George (1863–1945) British Liberal Statesman
Advance, and never halt, for advancing is perfection. Advance and do not fear the thorns in the path, for they draw only corrupt blood.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
Ambition is pitiless. Any merit that it cannot use it finds despicable.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
The thrust of ambition is, and always has been, great, but among the bright-eyed it had once a more adventurous and individualistic air, a much more bracing rivalry.
—Louis Kronenberger (1904–80) American Drama, Literary Critic
I hope I shall have ambition until the day I die.
—Clare Boothe Luce (1903–87) American Playwright, Diplomat, Journalist, Diplomat, Elected Rep
A lot of people quit looking for work as soon as they find a job.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
Though ambition itself is a vice, it is often the parent of virtues.
—Quintilian (c.35–c.100 CE) Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic
Too often those who entertain ambition, expel remorse and nature.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
What is my loftiest ambition? I’ve always wanted to throw an egg into an electric fan.
—Oliver Herford (1863–1935) American Writer, Artist, Illustrator
Obviously, there is little you can learn from doing nothing.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
We grow small trying to be great.
—E. Stanley Jones (1884–1973) American Methodist Priest, Theologian
Ambition and fleas jump high.
—German Proverb